Having planned days in advance from Mumbai for a Vacation for family and my parents to get a break from the routine and spend quality time together, we hired an Innova from Chandigarh to drive us for 2D/3N at Manali (Hotel Honeymoon Inn, Aleo)and then 2D/3N at Dalhousie(Alps Spa Resort, Dalhousie), also we spent a nite enroute at Dharamshala(Pong View Hotel, Dharamshala).One of the best decisions I have or we have made in our lives till date that has not been discarded...enjoyable trip, good accomodation, beautiful weather, delicious food, wonderful vehicle choice and driver(Anil) to cart the 5 of us(Includes wifey, daughter, parents and me of course)..
Enchanting views, breathtaking scenic pleasures, Snow clad Rohtang, Mythical Hidimba Temple, Lots of Himachali Wines(flavored), treat of hospitality all over, lovely crowds, good shopping...
I specially mention the Hotels above, since these were the best in terms of Service, Food, Hospitality, Cleanliness, and above all comfortable since they all gave us large rooms(2 DBLs) and they were all done up(refurbished) very recently as it seemed....
My Trip began on 25th May @ 0600 from Chandigarh and I presume and recommend this to be a very good time to be in these Hill Stations. Manali has lots of snow and mild rains, Rohtang is pristine still, paragliding is a hot adventure sport option and so is white water rafting; Dharamshala & Pong Valley are lush with fresh pines and green acorns, Mcleodganj and Dalai Lamas Monastery is religiously beautiful and Dalhousie with its winding roads is so poerfectly wonderful and that little 22 km drive to Khajjiar, simply WOW !!! Do not miss it for anything in the world...
All In All, Keep Manali (Kullu)- Dharamshala (Mcleodganj-)Dalhousie on your Itineraries next vacation but TIP : If you plan to drive from Chandigarh, start as early as 0500 and also keep 3N/4D at Manali (Rohtang, Manikaran:Sulphur Hot springs, Naggar castle and Dr Roerichs Art Gallery) -for a wonderful time and then 1N/ for Dharamshala and 2N/3D for Dalhousie(Include Chamba, Khajjiar, and just chillout 1 night in the restaurants(shacks) in the town with hordes of foreigners who teach you the way to actually relax and enjoy life...
Keep posting your reviews after you have done this trip or others who managed to do this earlier for the benefit of others Mouthshutters...